Driving Sideways 1960-2021

[blueline]

L to R: 1960 New Les Paul Standard (no Les Paul markings, early ones had the silk screen Les Paul model); 1961 Les Paul Standard (Les Paul now appears on the TRC, noted simply as LP in the ledger); 2013 1961 Les Paul Tribute with sideways vibrato (the introduction of new improved vibrato); 2021 60th anniversary 1961 Les Paul SG with sideways vibrato

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The new sideways is no improvement over the original. The best vibrato is on the 1961 LP. You can yank on that vibrato all day long and it will stay in tune. A second is the 1960 model but it just feels a little stiff. The newer ones are not really as good; you take you chances as to whether it will stay in tune after use. So the winner is:
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[fernieite]

Great collection! How are the necks on the 1960 and 61? Pretty thin?

 

[jb_abides]

What's 50 odd years between friends?!

 

[blueline]

Great collection! How are the necks on the 1960 and 61? Pretty thin?

The 60 neck is my favourite, wide, with some meat on it. It stays consistent all the way up the neck. Very comfortable. The 61 gets thinner front to back and is probably as thin as you would want. Although the neck profile is wide, it forms a C shape with little shoulder making feel more delicate...... But with all those PAFS, either neck will get you to where you want to go.

 

[brandtkronholm]

L to R: 1960 New Les Paul Standard (no Les Paul markings, early ones had the silk screen Les Paul model); 1961 Les Paul Standard (Les Paul now appears on the TRC, noted simply as LP in the ledger); 2013 1961 Les Paul Tribute with sideways vibrato (the introduction of new improved vibrato); 2021 60th anniversary 1961 Les Paul SG with sideways vibrato

[/URL]
The new sideways is no improvement over the original. The best vibrato is on the 1961 LP. You can yank on that vibrato all day long and it will stay in tune. A second is the 1960 model but it just feels a little stiff. The newer ones are not really as good; you take you chances as to whether it will stay in tune after use. So the winner is:
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Awesome quartet!
What gauge strings do you use?

 

[blueline]

Awesome quartet!
What gauge strings do you use?

The 61 has 9/42 and the rest have regular 10/46